Brandon Maurer

After posting a 7.52 ERA in seven starts, Maurer was sent to Triple-A Tacoma in May to transition to a reliever. When he returned in June, he found success in the bullpen that eluded him in the rotati...

An outstanding spring training won Maurer a job in the rotation last year, but it didn't take long to prove he was overmatched at the big-league level and not ready for the majors. With a 6.93 ERA by late May, the Mariners finally took pity on him and sent him to Triple-A. He wasn't much better in eight relief appearances (6.64 ERA) upon returning, but in his last three September starts, he allowed two runs or less in each and had 17 strikeouts to four walks in 17.1 innings. Much of Maurer's trouble stemmed from his lack of an effective out-pitch against left-handers, against whom he had a 1.94 K/BB and .908 OPS allowed. He has decent strikeout ability and control, but he was forced to tinker with his release point to improve his command (11.4 H/9 for the season). Maurer could compete in spring for a spot on the staff, but he's probably ticketed for Triple-A for more refinement.

2013

Maurer stole the spotlight from the "Big Three" at Double-A Jackson last year en route to Southern League pitcher of the year honors. While high-profile prospects Danny Hultzen, James Paxton and Taijuan Walker grabbed the headlines, Maurer used four pitches, including a mid-90s fastball, to prove he is a legit prospect after some early-career arm troubles. The 6-foot-6 Maurer has good command and, perhaps most important, stayed healthy all year, throwing 137.2 innings. Whether Maurer is destined for mid-rotation status or a bullpen role largely depends on his ability to avoid the elbow and shoulder problems that plagued him in 2010 and 2011.